Types

Melanoma skin cancer starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. Other names for melanoma skin cancer include malignant melanoma and cutaneous melanoma. Cutaneous means skin.

There are different types of melanoma. The different types are usually treated in the same way. 

These pictures are examples of the different types of melanoma. If you are worried about any moles or skin changes, it is important to see your doctor to get them checked. 

The following pictures have been provided by the St John's Institute of Dermatology at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital. 

Types of melanoma

Superficial spreading melanoma

Superficial spreading melanoma tends to start growing across the skin before growing deeper into it.

It's the most common type of melanoma. 70 to 80 out of every 100 people with melanoma (70% to 80%) have this type.

It can develop anywhere on the body. But in men it's most common on the central part of the body (the trunk). And in women, it's most common on the legs.

Photo of a superficial spreading melanoma

Nodular melanoma

Nodular melanomas tends to grow downwards into the deeper layer of the skin. They can grow quite quickly. There is often a raised area on the skin surface with this type of melanoma. 

It's the second most common type of melanoma. Between 9 and 15 out of every 100 melanomas (between 9% and 15%) are this type. It's most often diagnosed in people in their 40’s and 50's. It can develop on any part of the body.

Photo of a nodular melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma

These melanomas develop from very slow growing coloured patches of skin. Doctors call these patches lentigo maligna or Hutchinson's melanotic freckle. 

Lentigo maligna is flat and grows outwards in the surface layers of the skin. It might slowly get bigger over several years and might change shape or colour. If it becomes a lentigo maligna melanoma, it starts to grow down into the deeper layers of the skin. It may also form lumps (nodules).

Between 5 and 15 out of every 100 melanomas (between 5 and 15%) are this type. It's most common in people older than 60 years. They appear in areas of skin that get a lot of sun exposure, so are most common on the head and neck. They are also more common in people who have spent a lot of time in the sun.

Photo of a lentigo maligna melanoma

Amelanotic melanoma

Amelanotic means without melanin. Melanin is a dark coloured pigment. So unlike other melanomas, amelanotic melanomas are usually red or skin coloured rather than dark coloured.  

Other types of melanoma such as acral lentiginous can lack colour and are amelanotic melanomas.

This type of melanoma is rare. Around 8 out of every 100 melanomas (8%) are this type. They are often difficult to diagnose because of their lack of colour. They may be mistaken for other conditions of the skin.

Photo of an amelanotic melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma is usually found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also grow under or around the nails. It is much more common on the feet than on the hands.

This type is  rare. 1 to 3 out of every 100 people diagnosed with melanoma (1 - 3%) have this type. But it is the most common type of melanoma in people with brown or black skin. It is most often diagnosed in middle aged and older adults.

Photo of an acral melanoma

Other types of melanoma

Mucosal melanoma

Rarely, melanoma can start in the mucous membrane. This is a layer of tissue that covers the inside surface of certain parts of the body. This type of melanoma is called mucosal melanoma. 

Possible places where mucosal melanoma can start include the:

  • anus
  • vagina
  • penis
  • vulva
  • mouth
  • digestive system

These are normally treated in a different way to melanoma skin cancer.

Melanoma of the eye

Rarely, melanoma can start in the eye.

The most common type of melanoma of the eye starts in the uvea. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye and has 3 parts:

  • iris (the coloured part)
  • ciliary body
  • choroid

They may also be called ocular melanomas. Or they might be named after the part of the eye they started in. Melanomas that start in the uvea are called uveal melanomas. Most of these develop in the choroid part of the uvea. So your doctor might call it a choroid melanoma.

Melanomas of the eye are treated in a different way to melanoma skin cancer.

Desmoplastic melanoma

Desmoplastic melanoma can develop anywhere on your body but it’s most common in the head and neck area.

It's often the same colour as your skin and can look like a scar. This type of melanoma is more common in men than women.

In the picture below, the dots around the melanoma are to show the surgeon the area they need to remove.

Photo of a desmoplastic melanoma
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    J. Tobias and D.Hochhauser
    Wiley Blackwell (2010)

  • Cutaneous Melanoma : A Pocket Guide for Diagnosis and Management
    G Argenziano and others
    Published by Elsevier Science & Technology,  2017

  • Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology (10th edition)
    VT DeVita and others
    Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2015

  • BMJ Best Practice Melanoma
    BMJ Publishing Group LTD,  accessed June 2018

  • Amelanotic melanoma
    A J Muinonen-Martin and others
    BMJ, 2018. Volume 360, K826

  • Desmoplastic melanoma
    N G Nicolson and Dale Han
    Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2018. Volume 119, Issue 2, Pages 208 – 215

Last reviewed: 
06 Mar 2020
Next review due: 
03 Mar 2023

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